Contributed by: BrandonSideleauBrandonSideleau(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on February 13th 2004"Punks" have very mixed opinions on Henry Rollins, some love the man (I am one of those) and some despise him for some reason. Yet, no matter what you think of his music, you cannot deny his talent as a spoken word artist. He recently released a DVD collection of his 1 month residency back in 1999 a.

"Punks" have very mixed opinions on Henry Rollins, some love the man (I am one of those) and some despise him for some reason. Yet, no matter what you think of his music, you cannot deny his talent as a spoken word artist. He recently released a DVD collection of his 1 month residency back in 1999 at the Luna Park theatre in Hollywood, shortly before the theatre permanently closed.

The DVD features a "best of" collection of his weekly performance's at the theatre along with a hilarious bonus feature called "Henry Rollins VS Iggy Pop" in which Henry discusses his friendly, yet intense fan boy rivalry with the godfather of punk himself. He goes off about how he played with Iggy on thre different occasions, once in 1992, 1994 and 1996. The first time he is all up to "blow Iggy off stage" cause he wants to show up his hero, and Rollins self deprecating sense of humor comes into play as he describes how Iggy Pop steals his show relentlessly through a psychotic, bloodied performance. The second time is similar in consequence, and Henry, charismatically accepts his defeat. Then, finally, on the third time Henry feels that he shows Iggy up at a show opening for Iggy and The Cure. He feels so until Iggy shows up onstage and completely annihilates the stage, breaking all of the Cure's flower pots and lighting. It is truly classic stuff to watch.

The main feature is a set of numerous topics discussed at the Luna Park - absolutely hilarious, in usual charismatic, psychotic Rollins style. If you are a fan of the man or good, intelligent comedy in general you should definitely purchase this very low priced and widely availible DVD. Oh, and catch him on tour right now, he should be or should have just recently, passed through your neck of the woods.

Well, well, well....one herion addicted forever has been, the incomprable horroible Iggy Pop, and the narccasitic jock who the high school football hero or track team captain who used to BEAT UP people like Iggy Pop muscian wanna be muscian
Henry Rollins are presnted here is a most sorry state of affairs. Rollins, who is nothing more than a media mouth piece for his ultra conservative holier than thou squeky clean boy scout values, just does what he always does : talks, talks and talks talks, and f***ing TALKS! This time yammering endlessly about some supposed childhood dream of one uping decrepit Pop, who should have retired EONS ago. We're talking about some aged wrinkled lush who so consumed by jelousy about the fact that his career is in the sh*tter that he has feels he has destroy mega talented Cure's for whom he's opening up for { Robert Simteh moust have een REALLY feeling sorry for this pathetic dope head} stage set. Also I guess he wants to impress rollins and in a desprete move show all the Grenn days and Weezers and Offsprings " Hey look at me! I'm still pun, right? i'm still relevent? Wan't it punk rock to do that? "

Yeah maybe if you're nine teen or twenty years old. At fifty plus years, you come off as pathetic, laughable and moronic.
I'm sure, if anything, the cure found this simpley just very sad and embarasing, and Pop ended up losing a gig, and he'll have to find out some other way to pay rent and feed his heroin adiction. Rollins, too takes pot shots at the Cure, making age old comments at Smith's weight, then going after the songwriting. If I'm not mistaken, I can count on my right hand with four fingers to spare who actually know Rollins' music or that he's ever been involved in music. All he's really known for his talking about what a good wholesome boy he is, how proud his parents are of him Which makes one wonder why he would pick the morally bankrupt Iggy Pop has a role model; that seems to go against his ultra conservative boyscout values.

For those who may be unware, Rollins WAS indeed, for about five minutes, something like the sixth shout talk vocalist for " hardcore punk " band Black Flag. And now he talks in a yelling monotone over stale, recycled metal riffs in the Rollins Band. In short, this guy doesn't need to be talking smack about anyone. And for all you fifteen year olds who think this ass clown invented the spoken word genre; you'd be better off to educate yourself with Jim Morrison, Lydia Lunch, and best of all the late great Rozz Williams, who did spoken word ove musical soundcapes, all three artists possesing far greater lyrical depth then Rollins ever could; if the giuy spent as much time reading literture as he did in the gym and trying to impress people with how tough he tought he was, he'd be better off.

Iggy pop? the ONLY thing this wothless bag of flesh has EVER contributed is the song " Raw Power " so that ROZZ WILLIAMS and DAUCUS KAROTA, a REAL band and singer, could make a great and wonderful song out of it.

Still, if seeing an aging boyscout who getsoff on hearing the sound off his own voice and an even older punk rocker whose career and punk crediablity is as dead as Sid Vicious
( the song " Love Transfusion on the SHOCKER soundtrack proves he has no business opening for the Odsmunds let alone the Cure) indulge themselves, i guess this one's for you.
Maybe next time we'll get lucky and Rollins will try to upstage Pop by tapping a vein and they'll both accidently overdose and put us out of our misery.

Darkdream

Anonymous (June 21, 2004)

"Jello Biafra & Henry Rollins are the two best spoken word artists of the last 20 years...easily. Unless of course you are a conservative or a religious person....but then why would you even be here (or even be alive for that matter?)"

Jello Biafra needs to shut the fuck up and stop complaining. I love DK, but his incessant "The rest of the bands are just fascists now" schtick is getting on my nerves. That being said, I love this DVD.

Anonymous (February 22, 2004)

"So what about the costs of renting the venue? Should Henry and Jello foot the bill for that so you can go for free?" I would never want to go. And do they really have no choice in what venue they speak at? Are you honestly telling me you don't think they're just doing it to make cash?

If you honestly think that, I really know whos the ignorant one here.

Anonymous (February 20, 2004)

You don't find the man funny? Damn....to each his own but.....whast planet are u from?

I've seen some of his standup routine on a local channel, and I'm not sure if that is representative of what is on this dvd or what he normally does, but that was god fucking awful! All i remember was that one of his bits was about how men need bigger hand towels or some shit. It was fucking ridiculous. If he weren't already famous, no one would think this shit is funny. It's like if Britney Spears did stand-up, it would be dumb as shit, but everyone would buy into it. "[Henry Rollins] is to comedy as Mariah Carey is to comedy"

Anonymous (February 20, 2004)

So what about the costs of renting the venue? Should Henry and Jello foot the bill for that so you can go for free?

If ignorance is bliss, you're about as happy as a pig in shit.

-sickboi

Anonymous (February 19, 2004)

Firs off....the only reason people like to see Henry is because he is a charismatic and freaky guy with a brain on his shoulders....plus those who relate to his music and his writings enjoy seeing the man flex his opinions and his comedy....and he is very good at it too. And in order to survive he needs to get paid...right? Yes. If you think Henry or Jello are in it only for the money or even mainly for the money then you need to get your head checked....shallow people like you are qwhat make punk such a drag.

Anonymous (February 19, 2004)

"I guess by your logic the shows should be free? God, I fucking hate idiots." Yeah, thats exactly what I was trying to say, you fucking idiot. How much talent, money and work does it take to go from state to state and TALK. My point was that they're just profiting off of being famous. I'm sure there are lots of people who have interesting opinions and stories to tell, but do you see them touring? No, because they're not famous and apparently not cool enough to pay $30 to see.

I think they(Jello and Henry) should just quit all together. Either that or or start playing in a band again.

Anonymous (February 19, 2004)

Henry Rollins owns you and your mother. Word.

Anonymous (February 18, 2004)

I guess by your logic the shows should be free? God, I fucking hate idiots.

-sickboi

Anonymous (February 17, 2004)

"Unless of course you are a conservative or a religious person....but then why would you even be here (or even be alive for that matter?)." Or maybe some of us have realized that they just want money like everyone else.

Even worse, they want money in order for us to listen to them talk, they're profiting off of the fact that they're famous. But I don't know, maybe thats punk rock. -Stuaz

Anonymous (February 17, 2004)

Look at me, livin' free
Free and clean amongst the Sea People
We look for pirates and search for gold.
Life is an adventure with the Sea People
They don't ever conplain, they don't call me fat.
They don't make me do homework or nothin' like that.
This is the way life was meant to be. Laughin' and singing,
Sea people and me.
Sea people and me, you guys.

Sea people plus sea men equals sea ciety.

Seriously

Anonymous (February 17, 2004)

Jello Biafra & Henry Rollins are the two best spoken word artists of the last 20 years...easily. Unless of course you are a conservative or a religious person....but then why would you even be here (or even be alive for that matter?).

Anonymous (February 17, 2004)

"His spoken word is even worse than Jello Biafra's"

Nobody's spoken word is worse than Jello Biafra's.

Anonymous (February 16, 2004)

this score is for nothing in particular...

Anonymous (February 15, 2004)

and the end of Dark Man

-BSD

Anonymous (February 15, 2004)

Minus the chin lol.

Anonymous (February 15, 2004)

this score is for how rollins reminds me of bruce campbell from army of darkness

Anonymous (February 15, 2004)

This score is for the overdone "this score is for" joke that's now confused the fuck out of me.

Anonymous (February 15, 2004)

Hank is king...long live Rollins!

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

this score is for the guy who got mad about people starting posts with this score.

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

"this score is for assholes who use quotation marks."

Word!

-BSD

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

this score is for assholes who use quotation marks.

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

this score is for all the assholes who start off every comment with, "this score is for..."

sincerely,

one of you assholes

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

this score is for how cool you must be to break a flowerpot. nothing says rebellion like beating the hell out of some daisies...

Anonymous (February 14, 2004)

What kind of idiot would pay to listen to someone talk? Especially when they're not funny or interesting.

I love the fact that I'm seeing his spoken word tomorrow, which also happens to be Valentine's Day.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

Rollins Band ok at best? Jeez....what kin d of shitty music do u listen to? Rollins Band is easily one of the best hard rock bands of time....easily.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

OK, not the best of Black Flag's singers. Rollins Band is OK at best. Still, an influential writer and spoken word artist, he has 10x the cred any of you "punx" do. He's been doing his own thing for over 20 years, while you all critize anonymously over the internet, still listen to Anti-Flag in your parent's basement and giggle over porn flicks. Rollins is the man.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

Rollins was the best Flag vocalist.....the only person who can arguably be better is Keith...but the other two dont even come close to Rollins. Chavo was pretty run of the mill punker type vocals and Dez had a very weak voice....it sounded like he was going to break at any minute. And live......Rollins also blew those two into eternity....Dez had an evemn weaker voice live....im not putting him down...i love thesongs he sings....but hes no rollins....no one can scream like rollins and live rollins is qa madman...maybe not now as much as then but he is still a force to be reckoned with. And, even though I love the direction they took, little poser punkers can't blame rollins for blqack flag changing its sound....if u knew anything youd know that greg was responsible for the descision you foolish children. Henry was just along for the ride. Derz himself thinks henry was ther best vocalist.....he said once in an interview.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

score is for the look on his face on the front of this dvd

next to Jesus, rollins is the man. period.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

fagcore.

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

"It's like saying "Topper Headon soo ruined the Clash when he joined."

I see the point, but Topper only played on their second and onwards. And from how I see it, Henry's voice wasn't as strong as any of the others'... There's no comparing hardcore shouters and actual musicians, though...

Most overrated person ever. Ruined Black Flag and has made terible music ever since. His spoken word is even worse than Jello Biafra. Not funny, not insightful and really nothing of significant. But did a great Gap ad. Ahhh...what a punk icon.

Henry Rollins is awesome. His "Get in the Van" album is one of the most funny, sad, inspiring tales I have ever heard

Anonymous (February 13, 2004)

ya gotta love rollins. even if he does charge an obscene amount for tix to his spoken word shows and even if he does do stupid bit parts in terrible movies (the chase being the only exception i can think of). i haven't seen this one yet, but i give it a 10 for that look on his face on the cover. get in the van.